Your website is such an important part of your online presence, and so it is crucial that you protect it and keep it secure so that it does not become compromised and to allow your customers to feel safe on your site. It is already well known that a well-built site will attract and convert customers, but a major part of this is website security, and instilling trust in customers when they browse your site.
All websites can become a target of hackers, spam and malware. And this can be devastating to your brand. Luckily, there are 3 key ways that you can prevent hackers from accessing your site, and keep your website secure…
1. SSL Certificates
When you see the green icon in the corner of the URL field of your browser on a website, that means that site has an activated encrypted SSL protocol, which will protect users’s information as it’s transferred between the website and it’s database. This encryption affirms your businesses’ identity and makes it so much more difficult for anyone unauthorised to access your site and its traffic.
Gaining an SSL Certificate will not only secure your website but also improve SEO, as we know that Google ranks more secure websites higher. It is also a necessity to have an SSL Certificate if you accept online payments, so that your site is PCI/DSS compliant.
When your customers see the badge, they know that their data is secure on your site which will greatly improve their trust in you and boost your reputation as a business overall.
2. Secure passwords
By this stage, everyone knows the importance of having secure passwords that cannot be easily guessed. However, there are still many people who will use basic passwords (like ‘Password’) for their secure logins. To keep your website secure, make sure your password is complex, with multiple random words along with figures and special characters. This makes it more difficult for your password to be guessed with a brute-force program.
A great tip is to use a password-management app. This is the safest way to keep track of your passwords, as they allow you to use stronger passwords without needing to memorise anything. Password managers will suggest complex passwords, save them and have them be filled in automatically. This keeps your data safe, and is also very convenient.
3. Up to date software
Regularly updating software on your website can help prevent security threats. So, you must check regularly for updates to your server’s operating system, plugins and other software to keep it safe. Your content management system needs to keep on top of any software updates and security patches.
An outdated website is more exposed to these hackers, meaning they can access the backend of your website and use it as a spam server, which can slow your website down to a crawl and eventually get you blacklisted. This could be detrimental to your business. An older, outdated website is much more likely to face these security issues as it relies on older, less secure coding and technology. This is a big reason to get your older website redesigned and keep your website fresh, updated and completely secure.
It is extremely important to keep your website completely protected. A secure website will experience positive customer interactions, make sales and encourage business growth.
Does your website require an SSL Certificate or a complete redesign to boost its security? Contact Us on Dungannon 028 3754 9025 or Belfast 028 9002 5050.
